Pawan Hans, Norway’s Noemi Aerospace Sign MoU to Explore Electric Seaplane Technologies
New Delhi, Aug. 5 (TNT): Pawan Hans Limited (PHL), a Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, on Wednesday signed a Non-Binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Noemi Aerospace (Elfly AS), Norway to explore collaboration opportunities in next-generation sustainable aviation technologies, including electric seaplane solutions.
The agreement was signed by Pawan Hans Chairman and Managing Director Sunil Kumar Nagdawne and Noemi Aerospace (Elfly AS) CEO Eric François Lithun in the presence of Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu and Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha.
The proposed collaboration aims to explore cooperation in areas including electric seaplane technologies, skill development and capacity building, technical knowledge sharing, workshops and feasibility studies.
The initiative aligns with the government’s focus on promoting regional connectivity, green aviation, innovation-led growth, island connectivity and emerging aviation technologies.
Speaking on the occasion, Rammohan Naidu said the collaboration reflects the government’s vision of strengthening indigenous capabilities and exploring emerging technologies in the civil aviation sector.
The Union Minister said India’s objective is not only to operate seaplanes but also to develop manufacturing capabilities within the country under the Make in India initiative.
He highlighted that the Union Budget 2026 proposed incentives to promote indigenous manufacturing of seaplanes and introduced a Seaplane Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme to support operations.
He said combining global technology partnerships with Indian manufacturing capabilities would help meet local and regional demand for seaplanes.
Rammohan Naidu said the government has taken several measures over the last two years to promote seaplane operations, including issuing dedicated Seaplane Operations Guidelines, simplifying regulatory frameworks and conducting demonstration flights to encourage stakeholders.
Noemi Aerospace (Elfly AS), headquartered in Bergen, Norway, is developing next-generation electric seaplane technology and is supported by funding from the Government of Norway for its development programme.
The MoU is exploratory in nature and does not involve any financial commitment, procurement obligation, investment requirement or exclusive arrangement. Any future collaboration will be subject to separate agreements and necessary approvals as per applicable laws and government procedures.
The partnership reflects Pawan Hans’ efforts to promote innovation, operational excellence and international cooperation in India’s evolving aviation ecosystem.
TNT TS
